Finish for rubber goods and method of making and applying the same



Sgpt. 1, 1936. DY 2,053,144

FINISH FOR RUBBER GOODS AND METHOD OF MAKING AND APPLYING THE SAME Filed Oct. 22, 1935 y @n @W QZZ'iysp' 15 I am aware that it has Patented Sept. 1, 1936 Aren't mm 7 r 2,053,144 Finish For; RUBBER GOODSAND METHOD or MAKING AND APPLYING THE SAME William FL Gowdy, Milford, Mass., assignor to -Archer Rubber Company, Milford, Mass., a

corporation of Massachusetts Application October 22, 1935, Serial No. 46,105

9 Claims.

This invention pertains to the finishing of rub ber goods, and relates. more particularly to a fun ish for the marginal portion of an article made from sheetrubber or the like and to a method of making and applying such finish. Articles to which the improved finish may be applied may, for example, be garments such as raincapes or coats, bathing suits or caps, undergarments, aprons, etc., as well as protective bed or crib 0 sheets, table covers, bags, piece goods orthe like, and in fact wherever it is desired to reinforce the margin of rubber or similar sheet material and at the same time to impart a neat and ornamental,finish., v

been previously proposed to finish the edgeof sheeted rubber so as to give it a piped effect, as for instance by uniting a folded narrow ribbon of sheet rubber of a contrasting color to the margin of the body material by a cut seaming operation. However, such "method-of procedure is not satisfactory since, in accordance with such method, it is necessary to trim away portions both of the body materialand the edges of the strip, and since these parts ordinarily are of different colors, the resulting waste or scrap is of little value. Moreover, such methad is slow and laborious, requiring great care on the part of the operator in order to ensure effective union of the parts at all points along the seam, and even with the assistance of experienced operators an undue proportion of the work is found, after completion, to be defective and only salable as seconds.

Furthermore, this prior method requires great accuracy in cutting the ribbon-like strip of material in order to obtain the desired effect, since the strip must substantially fill the channel of the folder without binding in order that the folded strip may properly engage the cut-seaming 40 wheel, and even though care be exercised in cutting the strip, it is found in practice that it binds in the folder so as frequently to interrupt the operation. Furthermore, even at its best the prior operation precludes any reinforcement of the margin of the material by folding the body material to form a thickening hem or Wale, and provides no latitude in the arrangement of the striping and reinforcing strip since the latter must be limited to the extreme edge of the material without possibility of spacing it from such edge, or of providing a plurality of such striping.

and reinforcing strips, if desired In accordance with the-present invention a desirable finish is obtainable without encounter- 65 lng any of the difliculties inherent in such prior procedures. No waste or scrap is produced; the margin of the body material may be doubled upon itself to any desired width thereby to strengthen the edge and to provide additional thickness, for

example for the application of fasteners; the op- 5;;

eraticn may be performed easily, accurately, rapidly and cheaply and without production of any substantial percentage of defective articles or seconds; the striping and reinforcing strip may be applied as close to or as far from the ex- 102':

treme edge of the article as desired; striping and reinforcing strips of any desired width may be applied at either or both sides of the body may terial and a plurality of such strips may be appliedsimultaneously if desired; and preformed strips, 151;:

individually of ornamental or other special appearance may be used. Furthermore, a highly. ornamental effect is produced as the result of the mode of uniting the striping and reinforcing strip to the body material. 7 V

In the accompanying drawing wherein certain desirable embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by way of example, c

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevation of a gar:

ment, for example a raincoat, shown as typical of the utility of the present invention and .illus-: trative of one embodiment of the invention; 7

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation, to larger scale, illustrating a portion of the right-hand flap of the garment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section, to still larger scale, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section, to greatly enlarged scale, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating simple mechanism by means of which the improved method may be carried into effect;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, to larger scale, on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section, to much larger scale,.on the line l-l of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. ing a slight modification;

2, but illustrat- Fig. 9 is a section onthe line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

to that of Fig. 3; but

to Fig. 2, but illustrating a striping and reinforcing strip of a different construction;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 10, but illustrating another arrangement of striping and reinforcing strips;

Figs. 16 and 17 are sections similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the application of striping and reinforcing strips to opposite side of the fabric.

Fig, 18 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but illustrating a further modification;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating another modification; a

Fig. 20 is a section on line 20-20 of Fig. 19; and

Fig. 21 is a sectional view illustrating a further modification.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l designates generally a garment, for example a raincape, made of rubber sheeting, that isxtosay, pure gum rubber as distinguished from rubbercoated textile fabric, the garment comprising the left-hand front flap portion 2 and the right-hand front flap portion 3, the latter having the edge 4. The garment is also shown as provided with a collar 5 made of the same material as'the main body of the garment and having the lower edge 6. The flap 3, as illustrated, is provided at a point near its edge 4 with a reinforcing and striping strip 1, while the collar is likewise furnished with a similar reinforcing and striping strip 5*.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be apparent that the edge 4 of the flap 3 is a rounded or finished edge resulting from turning under the marginal portion of the fiap so as to provide the reinforcing ply 8 at the inside of the garment. This reinforcing ply 8 may be of any desired width, and when caused to cohere to the inner surface of the front flap imparts added strength to the edge of the garment and furnishes additional thickness useful, for example, as an anchorage for fasteners F. The striping and reinforcing strip 1, as shown in Fig.3, consists of a narrow ribbon of gum rubber sheeting, folded or doubled longitudinally to provide the rounded edge '9. This edge 9 is outwardly presented, that is to say, it faces in the same direction as therounded edge 4 of the body material, the constituent plies of this reinforcing strip 1 being caused to cohere together, while the strip itself coheres to the front or exposed face of the body flap 3.

In accordance with the preferred method of making this finish, the folded marginal portion of the body material and also the striping and reinforcing strip are transversely corrugated, forming the ribs [8 (Figs. 2 and 4). In Fig. 4 the size of the ribs is greatly exaggerated for purposes of illustration, whereas in the actual garment these ribs are very small and close together, giving a knurled appearance to the marginal portion of the garment. This knurled appearance has the effect of slightly shading the color of the body material and thus adds to the ornamental appearance afforded by the reinforcing strip 1 which in most cases is made of a color contrasting with that of the body material. For example, if the body material be of a blue color, the striping and reinforcing strip 1 may be white.

In accordance with the preferred mode of procedure in preparing the finish above described, mechanism such as illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 is found useful, although it is contemplated that the operation may be carried out by hand or by other means. As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and '7, the machine comprises a work-supporting table l0 having at its under side a scroll folder ll of a type such as is commonly used as an attachment for sewing machines for the formation of hems, and having a similar but smaller folder l2 mounted above its upper surface. The worksupporting table is provided with an opening below which is arranged the shaft of a crimping wheel I4 having a knurled periphery which cooperates with the crimping wheel l3 having its shaft arranged above the table; one or both of these wheels may be driven from any suitable source of power (not here indicated).

The marginal portion of the body material 3 is fed into the folder H which turns it over, as

indicated at 3 (Fig. 5), so as to provide the rein- I which may, if desired, pass through any suitable type of tensioning device I! on its way to the folder 12. This folder is preferably designed, as

indicated in Fig. 6, to double the ribbon l5 and to provide the rounded edge fold 9. The folded body material passes from the bottom folder ll up and over the crimping roll or wheel l4 whilethe folded ribbon [5 passes beneath the crimping roll or wheel l3.

At this stage of the process the material, both of the garment and the ribbon, is uncured, and, as the folded parts pass between the rolls l3 and M, the plies of the folded ribbon are caused to coalesce or cohere while the strip 1 is'caused to coalesce or cohere to the upper or outer surface of the body material at the same time that the reinforcing ply 8 is caused to coalesce with or cohere to the under or inner face of the body material. In-passing between the rolls I3 and I4, the material is caused to assume a transversely ribbed appearance and the striping and reinforcing strip is compressed and flattened to some extent, depending upon the nearness of the"- elevation from the general surface of the fabric.

While as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the strip I is shown as spaced substantially from the edge fold 4 of the body material, it is not necessary that it thus be spaced, for, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the strip l is arranged with its rounded edge very close to the edge fold 4 of the body material. This arrangement gives substantially the same effect as a piped edge, but in accordance with the present method this effect is produced without the disadvantages inherent in prior processes whereby similar results have been attempted.

In Figs. 10 and 11, a further possibility is illustrated wherein the marginal portion of the bodymaterial is furnished with a pair of the reinforcing strips 1 and 1' respectively, the strip 1 being spaced from the edge 4 as in Fig. 3, while the strip 1 is spaced from'the strip 1 and at a considerable distance from the edge 4.

In Fig. 12 another construction is illustrated wherein the strip 1 consists of, a flattened or 001- may be substituted for the folder l2 in the ma- "chine which assemblies and unites the stripandsisting of a folded ribbon, is so folded that theedges of the ribbon are brought into juxtaposition and are wholly concealed, thus producing much the same effect in the finished fabric as that of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 illustrates a further possibility wherein the strip "i is a preformed strip produced, for example, by twisting two ribbons or tubes of uncured gum rubber, the preformed strip then being delivered to the assembling machine and being caused to coalesce with or cohere to the ,body fabric in passing through the crimping rolls ,being wider than the strips 1 and l i3 and M.

In Fig. 15 another arrangement is illustrated wherein strips i, I and 1 are secured to the marginal portion of the body material, the strip 1 Obviously other combinations of strips, both in number, spacing and width, may be made in accordance with the present invention and as may be desirable in accordance with the amount of reinforcement required or the appearance to be obtained.

In Fig. 16 the body fabric 3 having the reinforcing ply 8 is shown as provided with a reinforcing strip l closely adjacent to its edge fold t on the front face of the fabric and with a similar reinforcing strip 'l at the end or rear face of the fabric also adjacent to the edge fold t. This provides for an especially heavy edge which may under some circumstances be desirable. In Fig. 17 a slight modification of the arrangement of Fig. 16 is illustrated, wherein the reinforcing strips I and T at opposite faces respectively of the fabric are spaced some distance from the edge fold 4;

Fig. 18 illustrates an arrangement in which the reinforcing strip 1 is of but a single thickness crimped to the body fabric 3. While in this arrangement the strip does not have rounded edges resulting from folding and does not furnish as much reinforcement as though it were of double thickness, this arrangement is of utility under some circumstances.

In the construction shown in Figs. 19 and 20 the body fabric 3 is not doubled at its margin, and the reinforcing strip 1, which is crimped to the body fabric adjacent to the edge of the latter, provides the sole reinforcement and finish for the edge of the body fabric.

In Fig. 21 another construction is shown in which, as in that of Fig. 20, the body material it is not doubled at its margin. In this instance the reinforce strip I is secured to a gum rubber tape T which in turn is attached to the body fabric. The strip i may first be united to the tape and the latter then crimped to the body fabric, or both strip and tape may simultaneously be delivered together with the body fabric to the crimping machine and united in a single operation. When so delivering the tape to the crimping machine, it may be desirable to feed it under substantial tension so that when released after being crimped to the body fabric it will contract and provide a fluted or ruffled effect. While in Fig. 5 the reinforcing strip has been shown as being delivered to the upper surface of the body fabric, it is obvious that the strip and also the tape T, if employed, may be delivered so as to engage the under surface of the body fabric in readiness for the crimping operation.

After the reinforce strips have been assembled and crimped to the body material, the body maany of the usual procedures employed in the manufacture of rubber garments or other articles.

It maybenoted that in carrying the above process into effect, no trimming away of surplus material is required, so that no waste results, and that since the reinforcing strip is applied to the face of the body material, no extreme degree of accuracy is necessary to ensure its proper union with the body 'material. Thus substantially no defective articles are to be expected as the result of the process. Furthermore, the process is one which may be carried out by relatively unskilled operators and at a relatively high speed,-sinoe, as above noted, considerably more latitude is permissible in applying the reinforcing strip to the face of the material than is requisite if the reinforcing strip is required to be united to the extreme edge of the body material. It may further be noted, as above pointed out, that the present process permits a great variation in the amount and position of the reinforcement provided, as well as in the ornamental effects incidentally resulting from the employment of this reinforcing strip or strips, and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise arrangements herein disclosed but that it is of broad scope and utility as defined in the accompanying claims.

I claim:

1. Sheet material comprising rubber having a thickened margin and a narrow reinforcing strip cohering to one face of said thickened margin, said margin and the reinforce strip having outwardly presented substantially parallel, rounded edges.

2. Sheet material comprising rubber having a narrow reinforcing strip adjacent to one of its edges, said strip having a rounded edge outwardly presented toward the edge of the sheet material, the strip being crimped to the sheet material and transversely ribbed.

3. Sheet material comprising rubber having a marginal finish including a narrow folded reinforce strip with the fold outwardly presented, said strip cohering to one face of the sheet material and extending parallel to the edge of the sheet material, the strip and the marginal portion of the sheet material being transversely ribbed.

4. An article of manufacture comprising a body portion of rubber sheeting having an edge finish including a marginal fold of the body material and a reinforcing strip parallel to the edge of said marginal fold and cohering to the face of the body material, said strip being of a color contrasting to that of the body material and having a rounded edge disposed outwardly toward the edge of the marginal fold of the body material, the plies of the marginal fold and the strip being all crimped together and being transversely ribbed.

5. That method of finishing sheet material comprising rubber which comprises superposing upon one face of the sheet material a longitudinally folded strip also of sheet material comprising rubber with the fold of the strip disposed outwardly toward the edge of the sheet material, both the sheet material and the strip being in uncured condition, crimping the sheet material and the strip thereby to corrugate them and cause them to coalesce, and thereafter curing the material.

6. Method of forming a garment comprising a body portion of rubber sheeting which comprises folding at least one margin of said body portion while the rubber is uncured to provide a reinextends parallel to the folded edged the latter and with its fold presented outwardly toward said folded edge of the body portion and so as to overlie the reinforcing ply, crimping the material to cause the strip and the reinforcing ply to cohere to opposite sides of the body material and thereafter curing the garment. 1

7. Method of finishing an article having a body portion comprising sheet rubber which comprises as steps preparing a plurality of narrow ribbons of uncured rubber, folding the ribbons to form narrow reinforcing strips each having at least one rounded edge, bringing said strips into faceto-face contact with the body portion of the article before the rubber comprising the latter has been cured and so that such a rounded edge is presented outwardly toward the edge of the body portion, crimping the strips and saidbody por tion to cause them to coalesce, and thereafter curing the article. 7

8. Method of finishing an article having a body portion comprising uncured gum rubber which comprises as steps preparing a narrow reinforcing strip of uncured rubber, said strip having at least one rounded edge, bringing said strip into face-to-faoe contact with the body portion of the article in such a position that its rounded edge is presented outwardly toward the edge of said body portion, crimping the strip and said body portion to cause them to coalesce, and thereafter curing the article.

9. Method of finishing an article having a body portion of uncured gum rubber sheeting which comprises as steps providing a tube of small diameter of uncured rubber, compressing the tube and bringing it into intimate contact with a surface of the body portion of the article before the rubber comprising the latter has been cured, crimping the strip and the body portion to cause themto cohere, and thereafter curing the article.

' WILLIAM F. GOWDY. 

